Woodlands Childcare

What is it like to attend this early years setting?

Children are happy and settled at the pre-school. They develop good relationships with staff and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in their care. Children develop good social skills and learn to make friends. When they arrive, they are pleased to see each other and are eager to begin their play. Staff know the children well and form strong attachments with their key children. They are positive role models; they listen and show interest in what children choose to do. They respond to children's emotional needs and get fully involved in their play.

Older children acquire skills that help to prepare them for their transition to school. For example, staff provide good opportunities for children to learn about numbers, develop their early writing skills and learn to manage their own risk. Lively conversations take place throughout the day as children play and develop their communication skills. Outside, children develop their physical skills as they run, climb and play in the water trays. They use a variety of tools to develop their fine-motor skills. Children move very confidently between play areas and make their own play choices from the variety of activities on offer. They are curious and excited to explore the resources and show good levels of concentration. For example, a small group of children get out the alphabet bricks and work together, using their imagination as they build a castle.

What does the early years setting do well and what does it need to do better?

• Children behave well. Staff teach children how to play cooperatively with others. They offer explanations about sharing, such as when two children want to play with the same toy. This helps children to develop good social skills.
• Staff observe and assess children's learning. They put in place a curriculum that helps children to learn key skills for future success. For example, staff know that some children will be going to school in September. They encourage them to do as much for themselves as possible, for example, putting on their own shoes and coats. Staff recognise that this helps children to develop their independence and self-care skills.
• Parents speak highly of the setting. They receive regular updates about their children's day and development. Staff share learning ideas with parents to help them support their children's learning at home. In addition, parents contribute information of children's achievements at home, which helps staff to plan challenging activities for children to progress even further. Parents comment that their children are extremely happy in their care.
• The manager and staff work in partnership with the on-site school and external professionals. This enables them to meet children's individual care and learning needs effectively. Staff include all children equally in the activities, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
• Staff support children to develop healthy lifestyles. They encourage regular hand sanitising and hand washing after using the bathroom. Equally, staff talk to the children at lunchtime about the importance of making healthy choices. They invite visitors in, such as a dental hygienist, to share information about oral health.
• The management team show a strong commitment to providing good-quality experiences for the children who attend. They form strong relationships with the staff team and have high expectations for what children can achieve. They identify areas for improvement and provide staff with training opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. For example, staff have completed commination counts training and gained 'A Communication Friendly Setting Status', to enhance children's speech and communication skills.
• Staff provide children with small-group and whole-group activities that focus on reducing gaps in their learning. However, sometimes, younger children lose concentration and become impatient during group times. This is because these sessions are sometimes too long, too complex and younger children prefer to play with the activities on offer.
• Older children are given lots of opportunity to challenge and build on what they already know. However, activities are not always adapted effectively to develop the youngest children learning at an age appropriate level.

What the setting must and should do next

The provider should:

• review the organisation, particularly the length, of adult-led group times to ensure that all children play a full and active part in all learning experiences provided
• adapt activities effectively to support the youngest children's stage of development.